Three new cases in Ennis - Sixmilebridge given all-clear
The Health Service Executive and Clare County Council has confirmed the presence of elevated levels of lead at three more locations across Ennis.Ongoing monitoring for lead in drinking water supplies is continuing and elevated levels of lead have been detected in premises in Bank Place, St Michael’s Villas and Old Limerick Road (off the Clare Road, from Captain Macs Cross to Daly’s garage), Ennis.
There will be repeat samples taken in all of the above locations to verify these results as well as at Patrick Street (Clarecastle), Marian Avenue and Connolly Villas in Ennis. Extensive follow-up testing results obtained at Church View in Sixmilebridge, which has been affected by elevated levels in recent weeks, were within the acceptable range.
People who stay in or live in homes built before the early 1960s and whose pipe work has not been renovated since then and are concerned that their supply is from lead services are advised to flush out a sink full of water before drinking the water or using it in food preparation.
The advice to run a sink full from the cold water tap in the kitchen applies:
- particularly first thing in the morning or
- if the water has been unused in the pipes for longer than six hours.
Homes built since the early 1960s are unlikely to have lead pipes. Lead is only picked up as water passes through pipes and household plumbing fittings and fixtures that contain lead. The Council wishes to emphasise that the water coming from treatment plants and in the mains throughout the county is completely free of lead. This is why flushing the service pipes of a sink-full of water before consuming it is advised in pre-1960s premises. Consumers particularly at risk of any adverse effects of lead in water include children under 6, and pregnant women and these consumers in pre-1960s houses are advised to be particularly vigilant with regard to flushing out the pipes before using the water.
Even if homes have lead service pipes, the water is safe for bathing, showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and clothes. Boiling is not appropriate to deal with lead exceedances. An exception to the advice to flush pipes applies to Marian Avenue, Ennis. Consumers in Marian Avenue, which is served by lead distribution pipes, have been advised not to drink the tap water or use it in food preparation. An alternative mains supply via push taps has been provided for consumers there and the replacement of the lead distribution pipes is already underway.
David Timlin, Director of Service with Clare County Council said, “Marian Avenue is a particular case in point because of its lead distribution pipes, so residents there have been advised not to drink the water.”
Clare County Council has been replacing lead mains and service pipes over the years, but there are still some areas in the county with lead distribution pipes. Replacing these will take a number of years and considerable investment. Pre-early 1960s premises will also need to investigate their own internal plumbing installation and consider replacing any lead services or fittings that are within their own property.
According to Mr. Timlin, “Clare County Council will continue to follow EPA guidelines and will be carrying out surveys to identify locations of concern so that an action plan for the county can be prepared”. He added, information updates will be issued as the current water results are verified by the testing programme.
Further queries may be directed to 065 6846505 or 6846430 or www.clare.ie.
